- It is an alternative to pellet guns for crowd controlling in Jammu and Kashmir
- The PAVA shells contain Pelargonic Acid Vanillyl Amide, an organic compound (also known as Nonivamide) found in chilli pepper.
- It causes severe irritation and paralyses target for a short duration
- It is considered to be bio-safe and less lethal than pellet guns but equally effective.
- The PAVA shells once fired burst out to temporarily stun, immobilise the target (protesters) in a more effective way compared to tear gas shell or pepper sprays
- The approval for use of PAVA shells was based on recommendation of TVSN Prasad Committee